10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
7. Cut back on caffeine
8. Reduce your stress
9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and see your doctor regularly
10. Get support
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1. Lose extra weight and watch your waistline
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Reduce salt and sodium in your diet
5. Limit alcohol
6. Quit smoking
7. Get a good night's sleep
8. Ease stress
9. Track your blood pressure at home and get regular checkups
10. Control your cholesterol and blood sugar
1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline
Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which further raises your blood pressure.
Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing even a small amount of weight if you're overweight or obese can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, you may reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight you lose.
Besides shedding pounds, you generally should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure.
In general:
- Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
- Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 centimeters).
These numbers vary among ethnic groups. Ask your doctor about a healthy waist measurement for you.
